Senator John McCain Announces through his Family that He is Ceasing Treatment

The McCain family said that Arizona's Senator John McCain has "surpassed expectations for survival," but the "progress of the disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict."

This Friday morning, the family of longtime Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, announced that the Vietnam war hero and long-time senator has elected to discontinue medical treatment for brain cancer. McCain, 81, was initially diagnosed with his incurable brain cancer in the summer of 2017. The family press statement reads:

Last summer, Senator John McCain shared with Americans the news our family already knew: he had been diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma, and the prognosis was serious. In the year since, John has surpassed expectations for his survival. But the progress of a disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment. Our family is immensely grateful for the support and kindness of all his caregivers over the last year, and for the continuing outpouring of concern and affection from John’s many friends and associates, and the many thousands of people who are keeping him in their prayers. God bless and thank you all.

Cindy McCain, the second wife of the Senator tweeted and attached a photo of the statement.

I love my husband with all of my heart. God bless everyone who has cared for my husband along this journey. pic.twitter.com/v27sEbboii

Megan McCain, daughter of the senator and host at The View, offered thanks in a tweet all people who have offered their support

My family is deeply appreciative of all the love and generosity you have shown us during this past year. Thank you for all your continued support and prayers. We could not have made it this far without you – you’ve given us strength to carry on. pic.twitter.com/KuAQSASoa7

President Trump and Senator McCain have often not seen eye-to-eye and have had a strained relationship. Ten days ago, President Donald Trump signed a $716 billion defense policy bill formally named the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act but failed to mention in his remarks the Republican senator.